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M A L

A Y S I A

E N V I R O N M E N T A L

Q U A

L I T Y R E P O R T

2 0 0 4

pg.6

AIR QUALITY MONITORING

The Department of Environment (DOE) monitors

the country’s ambient air quality through a net-

work of 51 stations (Map 1a and 1b). These

monitoring stations are strategically located in

both residential and industrial areas to detect

any significant change in the air quality which

may be harmful to human health and the envi-

ronment.

The National Air Quality Monitoring network is

also supplemented by manual air quality moni-

toring stations (High Volume Sampler) located

at 25 different sites. At these sites, total sus-

pended particulates, particulate matter (PM10)

and several heavy metals such as lead are meas-

ured once in every six days.

AIR QUALITY STATUS

The air quality status for Malaysia is determined

according to the Air Pollutant Index (API) as

shown in Table 1. The overall air quality for

Malaysia throughout 2004 deteriorated slightly

compared to the previous year. Several

unhealthy air quality days were recorded at

various locations in Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala

Lumpur, Selangor, Penang, Perak, Negeri

Sembilan and Melaka. The unhealthy days

recorded in the Klang Valley (Wilayah

Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur and Selangor) and

Negeri Sembilan were mainly caused by high

concentrations of ground level ozone.

On the other hand, the unhealthy air quality

recorded in other parts of the country was

mainly due to high levels of PM10. In 2004,

Malaysia experienced short periods of slight to

moderate haze in the months of June, August and

September brought about mainly by trans-

boundary pollution. The land and forest fires in

several provinces in Sumatra as reported by the

ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Center

(ASMC) coupled with the direct

influence of south westerly winds contributed to

the deterioration of air quality in the west coast

of Peninsular Malaysia. The fires in Kalimantan

also contributed to the slight haze in the south-

ern part of Sarawak. Apart from these haze

episodes, there was no other serious incidences

air pollution in 2004. Particulate Matter

( P M10) and ground level ozone remained the

prevailing pollutants in the country.

Table 1 Malaysia: Air Pollutant Index (API)

API Air Quality Status

0-50 Good

51-100 Moderate

101-200 Unhealthy

201-300 Very unhealthy

>300 Hazardous

AIR QUALITY

Photo 1: Urban Air Pollution from Mobile Sources(DOE Photo Library)



In 2004, the air quality in the Klang Valley was

in the moderate category 70 percent of the time

and the predominant pollutant was ozone formed

by the reaction of volatile organic compounds

(VOCs) and NOX in the

presence of strong solar radiation. However,

P M10 was the predominant pollutant for

unhealthy conditions in the dry season during

the south westerly monsoon. The highest number

of unhealthy days recorded at one location in

2004 was 88 days, compared to 56 days in

2 0 0 3

(Figure 1). The overall air quality status in

Klang Valley is shown in Figure 2.

Northern Region

In the northern region of the West Coast of

Peninsular Malaysia, comprising the States of

Perlis, Kedah including Langkawi, Pulau Pinang

and Perak, the overall air quality was between

good and moderate most of the time. Good air

quality was recorded in Langkawi, Pulau Pinang

(USM), Taiping and Alor Setar more than 55

percent of the time. Kangar experienced good air

quality for 24 percent of the time and moderate

air quality for the rest of the remaining time.

Sungai Petani experienced 40 percent of good air

quality time, 58 percent moderate and remain-

ing 2 percent unhealthy quality mainly due to

high levels of ozone concentration.

Air quality stations in

Seberang Prai

recorded moderate air

quality 97 percent of

the time and unhealthy

air quality for the

remaining three per-

cent. PM10 was the

main pollutant detect-

ed in the area. Mainsources of PM10 iden-

tified were industrial

activities, motor

vehicle emissions and

trans-boundary pol-

lution which occurred

during the south west-

erly monsoon.

Notably, the high lev-

els of sulphur dioxide(SO2) observed in

previous years were

significantly reduced.

This could be attrib-

u t e d

to the measures taken

t o

promote the use of

cleaner fuel such as

natural gas in the

industrial combustion

process.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

2423

20

12

7

3

0

2214

32

12

17

0

0

1919

37

11

7

4

8

2067

17

30

50

0

21

1656

34

28

12

9

0

2388

41

63

11

17

2

GombakShah Alam

Kajang

K.Lumpur

Klang

P. Jaya

K.Selangor

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Good (0 - 50) Moderate (51 - 100) Unhealthy (101 - 200) Very Unhealthy (201 - 300) Hazardous (> 300)

Putrajaya Kuala Selangor Gombak Kajang Petaling Jaya Kuala Lumpur Kelang Shah Alam

175

176

1

120

241

2

248

23

95

245

80

4117

319

30 23

280

63

11

340

15

272

6

88

Figure 2 Malaysia: Air Quality Status, Klang Valley, 2004

Figure 1 Malaysia: Number of Unhealthy Days, Klang Valley, 1999-2004

pg.7

M A L A Y

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Q U A L

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2 0 0 4

N u m

b e r o

f D a y s

N u m

b e r o

f D a y s



M A L A

Y S I A


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L I T Y R E P O R T

2 0 0 4

pg.8

Residential (20)

Industrial (12)

Traffic (1)

Background (1)

PM 10 (2)

LEGEND

N

S

Petaling Jaya

Bukit Rambai

Pengkalan

Chepa

Seberang Perai

Taiping

Kemaman

Paka

Balok Baru

Nilai

Larkin

Pasir Gudang

Tasek

Shah Alam

KlangKajang

Putrajaya

Gombak

KangarLangkawi

Sg. Petani

Alor Setar Kota Bharu

Kuala Terengganu

Ipoh

Tanjung Malim

KuantanJerantut

Seremban

Bandaraya

MelakaMuar

Johor Bahru

Seberang JayaP.Pinang

PULAU PINANG

PERLIS

KEDAH

PERAK

KELANTAN

PAH ANG

NEGERI

SEMBILAN

JOHOR

MELAKA

SELANGOR

W. P.K. L.

TERENGGANU

PULAU

LANGKA WI

STRAITS OF ME LAKA

PENINSULAR

SOU TH CHINA SEA

M anjung

Kuala Selangor

KualaLumpur

Pulau Tiom an

SELANGOR

SELANGOR

Residential Area (9)

Industrial (1)

PM 10(5)

KEY

N

S

SULAWESI SE

SULU SEA

Sandakan

Keningau

Kota Kinabalu

Tawau

Labuan

Miri

Bintulu

Sibu

Kapit

Kota Samarahan

Seri AmanPetra JayaKuching

PULAU LABUAN

SABAH

SARAWAK

Limbang

Sarikei

EAST M ALAYSIA

SOUTH CHINA SEA

Map 1a Malaysia: Location of Continuous Air Quality

Map 1b Malaysia: Location of Continuous Air QualityMonitoring Stations, East Malaysia, 2004



M A L A

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pg.9

Southern Region

Similarly, the status

of air quality observed

in the southern region

of the West Coast of

Peninsular Malaysia,

which incorporates

the States of Negeri

Sembilan, Melaka and

Johor, was between

good to moderate most

of the time, with the

exception of a few

unhealthy days. In

Negeri Sembilan, the

air quality station inSeremban recorded 66

percent moderate air

quality days, 33 per-

cent good air quality

days and one percent

(3 days) unhealthy

air quality days in

2004. In Nilai, it was

observed that more

moderate air qualitydays (81%) were

recorded as compared

to good days (16%).

Throughout the year,

seven unhealthy days

were recorded in this

area. Nilai is located south of the Klang Valley

and is bounded by a mountain range on the east-

ern side which reduces dispersion of industrial

emission in the area. This topography also con-tributes to the accumulation of PM10 and ground

level ozone generated by industrial activities

and motor vehicle emissions.

In Bandaraya Melaka, the air quality was good

for more than 60 percent of the time, while in

Bukit Rambai the air quality was moderate 97

percent of the time. Both areas recorded several

unhealthy air quality days mainly due to trans-

boundary pollution during the south westerly

monsoon. Bukit Rambai has an air quality station

located in a wood-based industrial zone. All four

stations in Johor recorded less than 50 percent

good air quality days and several unhealthy air

quality days in 2004. Ozone was the predomi-

nant pollutant causing unhealthy days in these

areas. Figure 3 describes the overall air quali-

ty status for the West Coast of Peninsular

Malaysia.

Air Quality Status in the East Coast

The air quality in the East Coast of Peninsular

Malaysia remained good most of the time. Areas

such as Kuantan, Jerantut, Paka and Pengkalan

Chepa experienced good air quality for more than60 percent of the time, while Kemaman, Kuala

Terengganu, Kota Bahru and Balok Baru experi-

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

A l o r

S e t a

r

B a n d

a r a y

a M e l a

k a

T a i p i

n g

L a n g k a

w i

P u l a u

P i n a

n g

T g . M

a l i m

P . G u d

a n g

M u a r

S g . P e t a

n i

L a r k i

n

S e r e m b

a n

K a n g

a r

S e b e

r a n g

J a y a

I p o h

T a s e k

N i l a i

M a n j u

n g

J o h o

r B a h

r u

B t . R a m

b a i

S e b e

r a n g

P e r a i

110

224

138

4

222

144

214

152

200

166

194

162

10

181

184

1

157

206

3

148

213

5

128

233

5

123

240

3

89

277

87

273

6

78

287

1

77

286

3

61

298

7

40

316

9

35

327

4

9

352

5

354

12

256

Good (0 - 50)

Very Unhealthy (201 - 300)

Moderate (51 - 100)

Hazardous (>300)

Unhealthy (101 - 200)

Figure 3 Malaysia: Air Quality Status, West Coast Peninsular Malaysia, 2004

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Paka

339

27

Kuantan

277

89

Jerantut

244

122

P. Chepa

227

139

Kota Bharu

193

173

Kemaman

201

159

4

K. T’ ganu

252

113

1

Balok Baru

297

67

2

Good (0 - 50) Moderate (51 - 100) Unhealthy (101 - 200) Very Unhealthy (201 - 300) Hazardous (> 300)

Figure 4 Malaysia: Air Quality Status, East Coast Peninsular Malaysia, 2004

N u m

b e r o

f D a y s

N u

m b e r o

f D a y s



Air Quality Status

in Sabah, Wilayah

Persekutuan

Labuan and

Sarawak

The air quality in

Sandakan, Kota

Kinabalu and Keningau

in Sabah was good for

more than 85

percent of the time,

while Tawau recorded

more moderate air

quality than good air

quality days. No

unhealthy days wererecorded at all the

locations in Sabah. In Labuan, the air

quality was good 83 percent of the time

and moderate for the remaining 17 per-

cent.

Most stations in Sarawak experienced

more than 85 percent good air quality

days in 2004 (Figure 5). Stations in Sri

Aman, Petra Jaya and Samarahan record-ed between two and 17 unhealthy air qual-

ity days. The unhealthy air quality days

were caused by high concentrations of

particulate level due to trans-boundary

pollution.

AIR QUALITY TRENDS

Six criteria pollutants, namely Carbon

Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2),

Ozone (O3), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) andParticulate Matter (PM10) were moni-

tored continuously at 51 locations, while

Lead (Pb) concentration was measured

once in every six days at three locations.

The air quality trend for the period 1996

to 2004 was computed by averaging direct

measurements from the monitoring sites on a

yearly basis and cross-referene to the

Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Guidelines shown

in Table 2.

Particulate Matter (PM10)

Particulate Matter is the general term used to

d e s c r i b e

respirable particles of less than 10 microns in

size. They may be from motor vehicle exhaust,

M A L A

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0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

352

14

331

35

321

45

312

54

312

54

304

60

303

60

3

303

63

277

89

257

109

252

67

17

211

116

2

205

161

171

86

118

248

L i m b a

n g

K o t a

K i n a b a

l u S i b u

S a n d

a k a n

K e n i n

g a u

S a r i k

e i

P e t r a

J a y a

L a b u

a n

K u c h i n g M i

r i

S r i A

m a n

S a m a

r a h a

n

B i n t u

l u K a

p i t

T a w a

u

Good (0 - 50)

Very Unhealthy (201 - 300)

Moderate (51 - 100)

Hazardous (>300)

Unhealthy (101 - 200)

Table 2 Malaysia: Ambient Air Quality Guidelines

Pollutant Averaging MalaysiaTime Guideline

ppm (ug/m3)

Ozone 1 Hour 0.10 200

8 Hours 0.06 120

Carbon Monoxide 1 Hour 30 35

8 Hours 9 10

Nitrogen Dioxide 1 Hour 0.17 320

24 Hours 0.04

Sulphur Dioxide 1 Hour 0.13 350

24 Hours 0.04 105

Particulate Matter 24 Hours 150

(PM10) I Year 50Total Suspended

Particulate 24 Hours 260

(TSP) I Year 90

Lead 3 Months 1.5

Figure 5 Malaysia: Air Quality Status in Sabah and Sarawak, 2004

N u m

b e r o

f D a y

s



This pollutant can

cause eye and throat

irritation, and the

accumulation of par-

ticulate matter in the

respiratory system is

associated with

n u m e r o u s

respiratory problems

such as decreased lung

function. High levels

of particulate matter

can also pose health

risk to sensitive

groups such as chil-

dren, the

elderly and individu-

als with asthma or

cardiopulmonary dis-

eases.

Particulate matter

( P M10) can also cause

undesirable impact on

the environment. The

presence of high levels

of PM10 in the atmos-

phere is a major cause

of reduced visibility,

resulting in hazy con-

ditions especially

during the dry season.

Other environmental

impacts can occur

when particulate mat-

ter is deposited ontosoil, plants, water or

other materials.

Depending on the chemical composition of these

substances, when particulate matter is deposit-

ed in

sufficient quantities, it

may change the nutrient balance and acidity in

soil, interfere with plant metabolism and change

the composition of the materials.

P M10 continues to be the prevalent pollutant in

many areas in Malaysia. The annual average lev-

els of PM10 concentration in the ambient air

between 1996 and 2004 were just slightly

below the Malaysian Ambient Air Quality

Guideline for PM10 except in 1997, when the

c o u n t r y

experienced severe haze episodes, and in 2002,

when the annual average concentration of PM10

was equivalent to

the Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Guidelines.

M A L A

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2 0 0 4

pg.11

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

1996

50

63

48

23

1997

62

83

54

44

1998

47

51

46

32

28

1999

45

45

39

38

40

2000

45

46

39

31

38

2001

47

46

42

36

48

2002

54

55

49

35

58

2003

50

50

42

42

35

2004

55

52

44

44

44

Industrial

Urban

Sub Urban

Background

Rural

Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Guideline for PM10 = 50 ug/m3

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1996

46

13

1997

60

27

1998

41

37

1999

41

45

2000

40

50

2001

44

50

2002

50

50

2003

44

51

2004

48

51

Concentration

(ug/m3)

No. of sites

Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Guideline for PM10 = 50 ug/m3

Figure 6 Malaysia: Annual Average Concentration of Particulate Matter(PM10), 1996-2004

Figure 6(a) Malaysia: Annual Average Concentration of Particulate Matter(PM10) by Land Use, 1996-2004

C o n c e n

t r a t i o n o

f P M 1 0

( u g

/ m 3 )

C o n c e n

t r a t i o n o

f P M 1 0

( u g

/ m 3 )



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Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)

Sulphur Dioxide is a colourless, pungent,

irritating, water-soluble reactive gas. This

gas is formed during the combustion process

of fuel containing sulphur (e.g. oil and coal)

mainly in industrial activities. High con-

centrations of SO2 in the atmosphere

increase the risk of adverse symptoms in

asthmatic patients and irritate the respira-

tory system. Other effects associated with

long-term exposure to high concentrations

of SO2 coupled with high levels of particu-

late matter include respiratory illnesses,

alterations in lung

function and aggrava-

tion of existing car-diovascular diseases.

There are also envi-

ronmental concerns

associated with high

concentrations of SO2.

Sulphur dioxide along

with NOX is a major

precursor to acidic

deposition, whichcontributes to the

acidification of soils,

lakes and streams and

can cause adverse

impact on the ecosys-

tem. Sulphur dioxide

can also be harmful to

plant life and acceler-

ates the corrosion of

buildings and monu-ments.

The annual average

levels of SO2 in the

ambient air between

1996 and 2004

(Figure 7) were well

below the Malaysian

Ambient Air Quality

Guideline. Figure 7(a)

shows the annual

average concentra-

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

Industrial

Urban

Sub Urban

Background

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

0.01124 0.00923 0.00866 0.00743 0.0064 0.0057 0.00585 0.00499

0.00256

0.00175

0.001 0.0006

0.0015

0.00288

0.00416

0.0027

0.00203

0.0009

0.003

0.0024

0.0009

0.0037

0.0038

0.0013

0.00392

0.00355

0.00223

0.00516

0.00898

0.00171

0.00889

0.00973

0.00217

0.00328

0.00824

0.00401

Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Guideline for SO2

= 0.04 ppm

0.00

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0.06

1996

0.0082

13

1997

0.0086

27

1998

0.0074

33

1999

0.0035

39

2000

0.0038

43

2001

0.0030

43

2002

0.0029

43

2003

0.0026

44

2004

0.0023

44

Concentration(ppm)

No. of sites

Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Guideline for SO2 = 0.04 ppm

Photo 2: Aerial Photo of Open Burning at Agricultural Site(DOE Photo Library)

Figure 7 Malaysia: Annual Average Concentration of Sulphur Dioxide(SO2), 1996-2004

Figure 7(a) Malaysia: Annual Average Concentration of Sulphur Dioxide(SO2) by Land Use, 1996-2004

C o n c e n

t r a t i o n o

f S O 2

( p p m

)

C o n c e n

t r a t i o n o

f S

O 2

( p p m

)



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Nitrogen Dioxide

(NO2)

Nitrogen dioxide

(NO 2) is a reddish

brown, highly reac-

tive gas that is formed

in the ambient air

through the oxidation

of nitrogen monoxide.

Nitrogen oxides (NOX)

is the term used to

describe the sum of

NO, NO2 and other

oxides of

nitrogen. The major

sources of man-madeNOX emissions are

high-temperature

combustion processes,

such as those occur-

ring in automobiles

and power plants.

Most of the NOX (95

percent) from com-

bustion processes are

emitted as NO and therest as NO2. Nitrogen

monoxide (NO) is

readily converted to

NO2 in the environ-

ment.

Short-term exposure

to NO2 may lead to

changes in airway

responsiveness andlung function in indi-

viduals with pre-

existing respiratory

illnesses and increas-

es respiratory illness

in children. Long-

term exposure may

increase susceptibili-

ty to respiratory

infection and cause

alteration in lung

function. Nitrogen oxides also react in the air to

form ground-level ozone and fine

particle pollution, both of which are

associated with adverse health impacts.

Nitrogen oxides contribute to a wide

range of environmental effects, including

the formation of acid rain and potential

changes in the composition and competi-

tion of some species of vegetation in wet-

land and terrestrial systems, visibility

impairment, acidification of freshwater

bodies, eutrophication of estuarine and

coastal waters and increase in levels of

toxins harmful to aquatic life.

Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Guideline for NO2 = 0.17 ppm

0.20

0.18

0.16

0.10

0.14

0.12

0.08

0.06

0.04

0.02

0.00

Industrial 0.009604

1996

0.010017

19 97

0.00892

19 98

0.009587

1999

0.0093

2000

0.0105

20 01

0.010608

2002

0 .0 1 04 46 0 .0 1 053

Urban 0.022097 0.021049 0.014147 0 .0 11 16 6 0 .0 10 4 0 .0 113 0.012207 0.012307 0.012213

SubUrban 0.012258 0 .0 10783 0.008358 0 .0 06 237 0 .0 06 2 0 .0 06 2 0 .0 06 48 6 0. 00 658 6 0 .0 0 68 47

Background 0.0025 0.00325 0.00308 0.0030 0.0014 0.0013 0 .0 01 8 0 .0 017 0.002

20 03 20 04

Malaysian Ambient Air Quality for NO2

= 0.17 ppm

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Concentration(ppm)

No. of sites

0.0116 0.0113 0.0086 0.0074 0.0068 0.0073 0.0078 0.0078 0.0079

13 27 33 39 43 43 43 44 44

0.00

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

0.12

0.14

0.16

0.18

0.20

Photo 3: Continuous Air QualityMonitoring Station

(DOE Photo Library)

Figure 8 Malaysia: Annual Average Concentration of Nitrogen

Dioxide (NO2), 1996-2004

Figure 8(a)Malaysia: Annual Average Concentration of Nitrogen Dioxide(NO2) by Land Use, 1996-2004

C o n c e n

t r a t i o n o

f S O 2

( p p m

)

C o n c e n

t r a t i o n o

f S O 2

( p p m

)



Ground Level Ozone (O3)

Ozone is not emitted directly into the air but is

formed by the reaction of Volatile Organic

Compounds (VOCs) and NOX in the presence of

heat and sunlight. Ground-level ozone forms

readily in the atmosphere, usually in the warm

sunny urban atmosphere. VOCs are emitted from

various sources, including motor vehicles,

chemical plants, refineries, factories, con-

sumer and commercial products, and other

industrial sources. Nitrogen oxides are emitted

from motor vehicles, power plants, and sources

of combustion. Changes in weather patterns con-

tribute to yearly differences in ozone concen-

trations. Ozone and the precursor pollutants that

form ozone can also be transported hundreds ofkilometres away depending on wind directions.

Exposure to high concentrations of ground-level

ozone has been linked to numerous health effects.

Repeated exposure to ozone can make people

more susceptible to respiratory infections

resulting in lung

inflammation and

aggravate pre-exist-

ing respiratory dis-eases such as asthma.

Ozone also affects veg-

etation and ecosys-

tems, leading to

reduction in agricul-

tural and commercial

forest yields, reduced

g r o w t h

and survivability oftree seedlings, and

increased plant sus-

ceptibility to

diseases, pests, and

other environmental stresses. In long-

lived species, these effects may become evident

only after several years or even decades. Thus

ozone has the potential for long-term effect on

forest ecosystems.

Figure 9 shows the annual average daily maxi-

mum one-hour ozone concentrations in ambient

air for the years 1996 to 2004. There were

fluctuations in the trend observed throughout

this period. The highest level was recorded in

1997. This pattern can be explained by the

meteorological conditions during that year when

the whole region experienced prolonged dry and

hot weather as a result of the El Nino phenome-

non. In 2004, the annual average daily maxi-

M A L A

Y S I A


Q U A

L I T Y R E P O R T

2 0 0 4

pg.14

Photo 4: Industrial Air Pollution (DOE Photo Library)

Figure 9 Malaysia: Annual Average Daily Maximum 1 HourConcentration of Ozone (O3), 1996-2004

Malaysian Ambient Air Quality for O3

= 0.1 ppm

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

concentration(ppm)

No. of sites

0.037 0.041 0.038 0.034 0.039 0.037 0.0382 0.0353 0.0388

13 21 27 35 39 39 39 41 41

0.00

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

0.120.14

0.16

0.18

0.20

C o n c e n

t r a t i o n o

f O 3

( p p m

)



M A L A

Y S I A


Q U A L

I T Y R E P O R T

2 0 0 4

pg.15

Carbon Monoxide

(CO)

Carbon monoxide is a

colourless, odourless

and at high concentra-

tion, a poisonous gas.

Carbon monoxide is

formed when the car-

bon present in fuel is

not burnt completely.

CO is emitted mainly

through motor vehicle

exhaust. Other sources

of CO emission include

industrial processes

and open burningactivities. Carbon

monoxide enters the bloodstream through the

lungs and reduces oxygen delivery to organs and

tissues. The health threat from exposure to CO is

most serious to those who suffer from cardio-

vascular diseases. At high levels of exposure, CO

can be poisonous even for healthy people. Visual

impairment, reduced work capacity and poor

learning ability are among the health effects

associated with exposure to elevated CO levels.

The annual eight-hourly average concentrations

of carbon monoxide throughout the country

measured from 1996 to 2004 were well below

the Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Guideline

(Figure 10). The concentration of CO was

consistently higher in

urban areas where the

main sources of emis-

sion were motor vehi-cles. Figure 10(a)

shows CO concentra-

tions for various cate-

gories of land use.

Lead

Concentration

(Pb)

Excessive exposure to

lead may cause neuro-

logical impairment

such as mental retar-

Malaysian Ambient Air Quality for CO = 9 ppm

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Concentration(ppm)

No. of sites

0.805 0.876 0.744 0.586 0.712 0.721 0.670 0.833 0.739

12 21 27 35 39 39 39 41 41

0

1

2

3

4

5

67

8

9

10

Photo 5: Open Burning at Construction Site(DOE Photo Library)

Figure 9(a) Malaysia: Annual Average Daily Maximum 1 HourConcentration of Ozone (O3) by Land Use 1996-2004

Figure 10 Malaysia: Annual Average Concentration of Carbon Monoxide(CO), 1996-2004

Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Guideline for O3 = 0.1 ppm

0.12

0.10

0.08

0.06

0.04

0.02

0.00

Industrial 0.03843

1996

0.04267

19 97

0.039

19 98

0.03767

1999

0.043

2000

0.0405

20 01

0.0413

2002

0.03889 0.04287

Urban 0.056 0.0513 3 0 .04 643 0. 04 127 0.049 0 .0 42 6 0 .0 46 09 0.04277 0.04712

Sub Urban 0.029 0.03967 0.039 0.03417 0.037 0.0348 0.0355 0.03452 0.03633

Background 0.025 0.029 0.028 0.022 0.027 0.0279 0.0298 0.0250 0.0287

20 03 20 04

C o n c e n

t r a t i o n

o f O 3

( p p m

)

C o n c e n

t r a t i o n o

f C O

( p p

m )



In the past, motor

vehicles were the

main sources of Lead

(Pb) emissions into

the atmosphere. The

lead levels monitored

in the atmosphere

were high in the

eighties. However, as

a result of Government

efforts to promote the

use of unleaded petrol

in 1991 and the total

phase-out of leaded

petrol in 1998, the

lead level in the

atmosphere had

declined significantly.

In 2004, the average

level of atmospheric

lead monitored in the

Klang Valley remained

low as in previous

years (Figure 11). M A L A

Y S I A


Q U A

L I T Y R E P O R T

2 0 0 4

pg.16

Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Guideline for CO = 9 ppm10

9

8

7

6

4

5

3

2

1

0

Industrial 0.50119

1996

0.72582

19 97

0.62671

19 98

0.55522

1999

0.739

2000

0.7614

20 01

0.76756

2002

0 .7 40 46 0 .9 44 21

Urban 1.54142 1.47451 1.06663 0.82156 1.071 1.0091 0.99335 0.99805 0.96315

Sub Urban 0.92208 0.97538 0.84538 0.51962 0.689 0.7169 0.7187 0. 67681 0.67839

Backg round 0.255 0.330 0.436 0.448 0.347 0.3978 0.3182 0.9145 0.37

20 03 20 04

2.5

2

1.733

1.213

1.233

0.654

0.823

0.6

0.407 0.403

0.280.37 0.345

0.211

0.353

0.159

0.3

0.230.27

0.086

0.0980.063

DBKL

Puduraya

1.5

Introduction of Unleaded

Petrol (1991)

Introduction of Environmental Quality

(Control Emission from Petrol Engines)

Regulations 1996

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

L e a d ( u g / m

3 )

Year

1

0.5

0

Recommended Malaysian Guideline for Lead (Pb) = 1.5 ug / m3

0.0540.0310.045

0.0850.0525

0.026

0.0254

0.028 0.0483466670.038

0.07

0.053 0.02703

Photo 6: Open Burning at Illegal Solid Waste Dumping Site (DOE Photo Library)

Figure 10(a) Malaysia: Annual Average Concentration of CarbonMonoxide (CO) by Land Use, 1996-2004

Figure 11 Malaysia: Air Quality Trend: Ambient Lead Concentration inKlang Valley, 1988-2004

C o n c e n

t r a t i o n o

f C O

( p p m

)



Air Quality

Chapter 1

Air Quality

air quality

Documents